Well, here begins my journey.

I am...
*30 years old
*mother of 3 children (ages 7, 9, & 11)
*married 11 years (to the same man who has grown- waist size- with me)
*an inside sales rep in a call center
*children's minister (so, I have around 30-40 more children)
*288 pounds
*5' 5"
*BMI 47.9
*ready to shed the pounds!

I am on the journey to have gastric bypass surgery and have my insurance cover it. My insurance is through BCBS, LA (EPO). I have to meet the requirements of ...
*BMI above 35 & 2 co-morbidities
OR *BMI above 40 DONE
*show condition of obesity for at least 5 years (have had clinic notes including weight for last 5 years sent to Dr's office) DONE
*attend informational seminar. DONE
*visit w/ dietician to learn new healthy eating habits. DONE!
*follow up visit with dietician 1 month later to show that I have been following healthier diet (I made a goal to lose 15 pounds before surgery)
*Attend 2 WLS support group meetings (COMPLETED 1 on 2/11/08, will also attend beginning of March)
*Psych Eval to show ability to make changes and be successful after surgery. DONE
*Physical (DONE)
*EKG
*bloodwork. DONE

- As you can see, I am on my way. I will do my best to log my progress as I go.

Surgeon: Dr Charles Thomas
West Jefferson Medical Center



:

Drum roll please!... Posted 05-07-2008 at 09:08 AM by nikkibeat So, yesterday was my 4 week check up. I was really scared to go through this weigh in because I have been retaining sooo much water, but of course I went all the same. I am down 6 more pounds! That brings me to 50.2lbs. from the start of my weight loss journey, and 24 lbs from surgery!!!! I am SOOOOOO HAPPY!!! I'm doin' the happy dance nikkibeat Member

Posted in Uncategorized Comments 0

4 weeks out! Posted 05-06-2008 at 09:25 AM by nikkibeat Ok, here I am - I'll be 4 weeks out tomorrow. My 4 week appointment is today. I cannot wait to weigh in. I want to see that magic number. I can see a difference. I feel really good. I however am not getting my hopes up too high, beause I am PMS-ing pretty bad right now and am retaining water. I just know that scale has still moved down none the less! I cannot wait to update my info later today! I love being a LOSER!!! nikkibeat Member

Posted in Uncategorized Comments 0

Almost 2 weeks out... Posted 04-22-2008 at 12:25 PM by nikkibeat All I can say is, "It was all worth it!" The pain and aggrivation of sitting in that hospital from Wednesday to Friday, the gas pain, the drain, the liquid diet (before and after), and the blank stares of other people who don't know how to react when I tell them that I had WLS. It was all worth it! I did make the right decision for myself! My first week I dropped 13 lbs. From that Wednesday to Monday I dropped another 4. I have not been able to walk this past week as much... Continue reading... nikkibeat Member

Posted in Uncategorized Comments 0

10, 9, 8, 7, 6... Posted 04-03-2008 at 06:26 PM by nikkibeat And here we are 6 days away from my date with Dr Thomas. I am very excited. I am also very anxious, I want it to be over already!!! I find myself getting a bit nervous here and there as well! I have nothing but support from EVERYWHERE! I thank God for that! My family, friends, co-workers, management, church family (including all the children I teach) have all been so supportive of my decision to have gastric bypass. I luckily have only experienced 2 people's disgust that I... Continue reading... nikkibeat Member

Posted in Uncategorized Comments 0

BC/BS of PA ROCKS! Posted 03-20-2008 at 11:43 AM by nikkibeat And so does Judith (WJMC bariatric coordinator). She submit my paperwork for approval today, and called them to see if they could hurry it up, since I am scheduled for April 9th (2wks 6 days away). They told her that if everything is in order, she shoud hear back on Monday! ... Well, she hearback within an hour when they called to give her my authorization #!!!!! I am sooo happy! I had to do the happy dance in my cubical here at work! WOW! They are great! Judith was sure to know... Continue reading... nikkibeat Member

Posted in Uncategorized Comments 0